EXPERIENCED health care professional Wendy Baker has taken up a role modernising NHS services in east Durham.

Ms Baker, a qualified physiotherapist, has been appointed director of service integration for Easington Primary Care Trust (PCT).

She joined the trust only a month ago to work alongside the district's chief nurse to develop community nursing.

She will also look at ways to improve services for older people, palliative care, dealing with substance misuse, mental health, learning disabilities, continuing care and the new patient advice and liaison service.

"The way forward for all services will be team work, partnerships and multi-skilling," she said.

"We need to encourage a no-blame culture where staff, clinicians, managers and service-users, all work together to provide what we ultimately hope will be a seamless service for patients and service-users.

"I am extremely excited about joining the Easington PCT and look forward to supporting it in delivering its vision of better health, better services and better lives in Easington."

Having worked in the health service in the Northern region since 1980, Ms Baker has experience in several different roles.

She arrived at Easington from Gateshead Hospitals NHS Trust, where her last post was as clinical director in clinical support services.